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The members of Alpha Theta Omega Christian Sorority and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority combined their community service efforts to host a Cancer Awareness Dinner in Kirksville, MO last month. Caring for Cancer offered local residents an opportunity to reflect, share and learn more about colon, breast , lung and prostrate cancer.

The collaborative efforts of these two sorority chapters is to be applauded. It is a wonderful example of the power of “Greek Unity” to make a positive impact on their local communities. I encourage all Greek Letter organizations to work to find ways to collaborate with other organizations in their local community (university, city, state) to make it a better place for the citizens. GO HARD GREEK!!!

“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” jumped from the pages to the stage Monday night in a one-man show inspired by University alumnus Junot Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize winning book.

The Epsilon chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin sorority hosted the play during its founder’s week at the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus to showcase intellectual Latin culture, said Erica Diaz, a University alumna and LTA sister.

“Every year we try to put on a play that will touch the community, specifically the Latino community,” Erica Diaz said. “We try to bridge the gap between Rutgers, undergraduates, New Brunswick and what LTA pretty much does for the community as far as educating and serving.”

The play, which was co-sponsored by the Rutgers University Programming Association and the Center for Latino Arts and Culture, centers on Oscar de Leon, an overweight Dominican boy from Paterson, N.J., who is obsessed with science fiction, fantasy and a family curse.

Actor Elvis Nolasco played different characters in the show, from the nerdy Oscar de Leon to his superstitious mother. He said it was easy to transition into these characters because he finds people like them in his own family.

Paula Garcia, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, said she was impressed with Nolasco’s performance.

“I thought it was an amazing performance. I never read the book, [but] it was pretty amazing that it was a one-man show and he pulled [off] the characters very well,” she said.

The adapted play contained references to life at the University, with mentions of the EE bus and Douglass College, set against the sugar cane fields and black outs of Santo Domingo illustrated in the book.

“I felt connected to him. He does a good job grabbing your attention. The book mentions a lot of places on campus that the actor said he visited,” said Eliana Perez, a School of Arts and Sciences junior. “It’s also very relatable in a Dominican way.”

Erica Diaz was very pleased with the audience’s support of the play.

“When I walked in I was overwhelmed with happiness and excitement with seeing all of my friends and sisters. [It] shows that our chapter is still strong,” she said. “I am so happy we have so much support.”

Lambda Theta Nu Sorority was founded in 1986 at California State University with a mission to promote and foster Latina leadership through education, professional development, relationship building and community action. One of the things that sets this sorority apart from others is their use of Macheties within their stepping routines! This unique ritual has been incorportated to symbolize the “cutting out” of barriers Latinas have exprience and as a show of strength and bravery. Below we have highlighted a brief video featuring the ladies of Lambda Theta Nu performing at Davis College. As these ladies incorporate the strong and postive concepts that are encouraged in this organization they will surely be successful in all their lifelong efforts.